Embassy News

United Nations, Jan 13 (CNA) – Development activities and specific donor contributions to the Trust Fund established by the UNDP for the development of the Turkish occupied areas will be subject to consultations with the Government of Cyprus, a UN Secretary-General Spokesman said here today, noting the TF is an internal UNDP administrative mechanism.

A written statement read by the Spokesman, indicating the UN position on the issue comes after the Cypriot government said today that it plans to make representations on the highest level if the United Nations Development Programme set up a fund for the development of the Turkish Cypriot community without the government's consent.

“The establishment of Trust Fund is an internal UNDP administrative mechanism”, the UN Spokesman said, adding that “there are at present no funds and no programmes in the Trust Fund. The TF becomes operational if and when potential donors subsequently contribute to it and specify the development activities that they intend to support”.

“It goes without saying that specific donor contributions and development activities would be subject to consultations with the Government of Cyprus”, the Spokesman said.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkish troops invaded and occupied the island’s northern third.